The Orange Language and Cultural Committee (OLCC) is comprised of 8 District parents who came together to work on bringing foreign language education to Moreland Hills Elementary School.  Currently, foreign language exploration begins in the 6^th grade at Brady Middle School, with less than half of the students recommended to continue their studies in 7^th and 8^th grades.  Therefore, the majority of our students do not begin formal instruction in foreign language until 9^th grade.  The OLCC is working to change that. 

There is much documented research indicating that early exposure to foreign language is critical for developing competency in a second language.  The goal is for our students to develop the proficiency necessary to be able to operate in a global, mutli-lingual world upon graduation, and to be successful at that, we need them to begin learning a second language at a young age. 

The time is right for Orange Schools to make the change to begin foreign language education in the elementary school years.  Currently, there is a State of Ohio Initiative in which businesses, government, and educational institutions are working together to make an impact on early education.  The State is raising the bar for schools to begin early foreign language education by the year 2014, and the OLCC has been working collaboratively with Marc Haag, Dr. Nancy Wingenbach (Director of Educational Programs), and Peggy Blair (Foreign Language Department Chair, OHS) to make that change now – proactively!

The OLCC has proposed for MHS to develop and implement a curriculum-based program of Spanish instruction for grades K-5.  Spanish was suggested as the language of instruction for several reasons, including the following:  1) one language needed to be selected to make this a feasible undertaking for the District; 2) consultation with foreign language experts suggested that because of the phonetic nature of Spanish, it is often easier to learn than others; 3) it is a language commonly taught at the elementary school level and 4) because it is offered at Brady Middle School, students will easily be able to continue studying Spanish through their junior high school years (of course, changes in the curriculum there will be made in order to teach at the level of our entering students). 

Currently, we, along with the staff mentioned above, are working to learn more about the logistics of putting this type of program together and how to fit the instructional time into the week.  A proposal is being drafted to request funding from the Board of Education for new staff, with the goal of being able to implement this program in the 2009-2010 school year.  In the mean time, work is in progress to begin instruction 30 minutes, two times per week, for the Kindergartners next year.  OLCC members are working to recruit native Spanish- speaking volunteers, with a background in education, to provide the instruction.  Funding support is being sought for materials, as well as a possible stipend for the instructors.     

Please keep your eyes open for an announcement regarding an informational meeting for MHS parents regarding this Foreign Language Initiative.  We need your support to help make this important curriculum change a reality!